A former bomb-maker for ISIS has created a new life for himself as a fireworks manufacturer in the tiny village of Manikata.
Abu Mohammed al-Zahrani, originally from Iraq, fled the former ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria after it was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in 2017. He eventually found his way to Malta.
“I spent a year hiding in the caves at L-Imbordiin [a hamlet in the north of Malta and the proposed site of the entrance to the planned Gozo tunnel], stealing vegetables from the surrounding fields to survive,” the 25-year-old ex-terrorist told Bis-Serjetà.
“One afternoon in August, when I was saying my prayers in the cave, I heard a series of massive explosions. At first I thought more of my brothers must have made it to Malta and struck at the infidels. The explosions kept going throughout the day, and I thought, ‘Wow, ISIS must really hate this particular part of the island.’ But then as night fell, the explosions were accompanied by many-coloured sparks that lit up the sky in the most beautiful way.”
What al-Zahrani was witnessing was not an attack by ISIS, but the feast of St Joseph in nearby Manikata.
Amazed by what he saw, the Iraqi made his way to the village and sought out the director of the fireworks factory, Saviour Bezzina.
“At first I told him I was an electrical engineer and didn’t reveal my former profession. He was more than happy to take me on as an apprentice and I quickly made a good impression with my expertise in timers and detonators.
But after Bezzina watched a news report in which al-Zahrani could be seen making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), his cover was – no pun intended – blown. However, the veteran pyrotechnician was unfazed by his new employee’s bloody past.
“Listen, Abu may have helped to murder several people in the most horrific way possible, but his advanced knowledge of electronics is really helping us emerge from the shadow of Mellieħa and Mġarr,” Bezzina said, referring to the two bigger, more well-known feasts of Manikata’s neighbouring towns.
“Without him, we’d never have been able to synchronise the launch of 500 fireworks with a Eurovision song medley,” he added.
Bezzina, Al-Zahrani and the rest of the volunteers at the St Joseph Fireworks Factory are now busy putting the final touches on the pyrotechnic display for next Sunday’s feast.
“Right now we’re preparing the launch site. It feels good not to have to worry about American drones flying overhead, although I kind of wish the rest of the guys from the Al Basla Martyrs Division were here to lend a hand.”
On the topic of his former colleagues, al Zahrani says he is trying to convince other ISIS members to switch from terrorism to pyrotechnics.
“Inshallah they’ll realise that watching the joy on people’s faces as your fireworks burst into shimmering light is just as rewarding as slaughtering kafirs, if not more,” he said.
